The Delhi High Court has granted bail to two men in a terror conspiracy case registered by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The court noted that the allegations against the accused were limited to their participation in social media groups sharing anti-national content, with no claim they created or disseminated such material themselves.
The two men, Haris Nisar Langoo and Zamin Adil Bhat, were arrested in October 2021 under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The case stemmed from intelligence regarding a conspiracy to carry out violent acts in Jammu & Kashmir and other parts of India.
The NIA alleged that the conspiracy was orchestrated by hybrid cadres and sleeper cells linked to proscribed terrorist organisations. However, the court observed that the accused had remained in custody for over four years with no certainty of the trial concluding within a reasonable time.
The court held that their continued detention would not serve the ends of justice, citing their 'limited role' in the conspiracy. The two accused had approached the High Court challenging the trial court's order rejecting their bail pleas.
